Abstract: A process for consolidating sand, proppant and other suspended particles present in a subterranean reservoir using an aqueous emulsion particle consolidation system is described. Surfactants with cloud points at or below the reservoir temperature are used to make a low viscosity aqueous external emulsion system with resin and curing agent as the internal phase. As the surfactant reaches its cloud point, it loses its emulsification ability and releases the resin and curing agent to consolidate the sand. The aqueous phase of the system then functions as a spacer to maintain the permeability needed for oil and gas production without additional post flush required.

Abstract: Compositions and a process for consolidating sand, proppant and other suspended particles present in a subterranean reservoir using an aqueous emulsion particle consolidation system. Surfactants with cloud points below the reservoir temperature are used to make a low viscosity aqueous external emulsion system with resin and curing agent as the internal phase. As the surfactant reaches its cloud point, it loses its emulsification ability and release the resin and curing agent to consolidate the sand. The aqueous phase of the system then functions as spacer to maintain the permeability needed for oil and gas production without additional post flush needed.

Abstract: Sulfonated betaines amine oxides, and sultaines are made by the reaction of the corresponding unsaturated betaines or sultaines. These are formulated into injection fluids suitable for the recovery of residual oil from subterranean reservoirs. The sulfonated betaines, amine oxides, and sultaines exhibit lower adsorption onto reservoir rock compared to their corresponding unsulfonated betaines, amine oxides, and sultaines. They can be used in applications where their respective amphoteric surfactants are currently used such as personal care, mining, improved oil recovery (IOR), oil field drilling, fracturing, acidizing, foaming, oil field stimulation, and agricultural formulations.

Abstract: Sulfonated betaines, amine oxides, and sultaines are made by the reaction of the corresponding unsaturated betaines, amine oxides or sultaines with a sulfonating agent. These amphoteric surfactants have demonstrated low adsorption properties in addition to good compatibility with brine containing high concentrations of salt and divalent cations. They can be employed in applications where their respective conventional amphoteric surfactants are used including: personal care, mining, improved oil recovery (IOR), oil field drilling, fracturing, acidizing, foaming, and agricultural formulations.

Abstract: The process for making amphoteric surfactants derived from ether amine s is described. The ether amines may be derived from natural products such as animal, marine or vegetable oils or from petroleum derived raw materials. The application of these amphoteric surfactants to the recovery of residual oil by Enhanced Oil Recovery methods is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition and process for reducing the permeability of a matrix without completely blocking the matrix {is describe}. The composition uses a nano-sized water insoluble particle as a template to control the permeability by determining the size of the holes formed in the matrix.

Abstract: A non-toxic, environmentally friendly, green flowback aid is disclosed that reduces water blockage when injected into a fractured reservoir. The composition includes an water soluble ester of a low molecular weight alcohol and a low molecular weight organic acid, an oil soluble ester of a low molecular weight alcohol and a high molecular weight fatty acid, one or more water soluble or dispersible nonionic surfactant(s) derived from vegetable or animal sources, one or more anionic or amphoteric surfactant(s) derived from animal or vegetable based sources, and, water. Compositions for low temperature applications are also disclosed that can remain fluid down to ?41 ° F.

Abstract: A non-toxic, environmentally friendly, green flowback aid is disclosed that reduces water blockage when injected into a fractured reservoir. The composition includes an water soluble ester of a low molecular weight alcohol and a low molecular weight organic acid, an oil soluble ester of a low molecular weight alcohol and a high molecular weight fatty acid, one or more water soluble or dispersible nonionic surfactant(s) derived from vegetable or animal sources, one or more anionic or amphoteric surfactant(s) derived from animal or vegetable based sources, and, water. Compositions for low temperature applications are also disclosed that can remain fluid down to ?41° F.

Abstract: This invention describes a composition of matter of the following structure: where m+n=1-30 or more, x+y=0-28, EO=oxirane PO=methyl oxirane M=H, Na, K, NH3, Amine, Ca, Mg, R and R1 are each separately and independently H, branched or linear alkyl, branched or linear alkenyl, A=aromatic, and, a+b=0 to 30.

Abstract: A method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon containing formation which comprises (a) injecting into said formation an aqueous solution containing an effective amount alkali metal, alkaline-earth or ammonium salts of alcohol ether sulfonates derived from unsaturated alcohol ethers, and (b) displacing said solution into one or more injection wells and recovering the oil from one or more production wells. The unsaturated alkoxylated alcohol contain various amounts of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxides elected to optimize their interfacial properties with different types of crude oil with different brines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids by reacting arylalkyl sulfonic acids with olefins. The polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids may be further neutralized with alkalis or amines to form the corresponding sulfonated salts. The present invention also makes possible manufacture of polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids as first intent products using an inexpensive and simple reaction. The structure of the polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids produced using the process described in the present invention is shown below: Where R1, R2 and R3 are each separately and independently H, alkyl (branched or linear C1 to C30), (—CH2CH2O)a, (—CH(CH3)CH2O)b, or (—CH2CH2O)c(—CH2(CH3)CH2O)d, m+n=8 to 28 R4=CH2CH3, CH2CH3Y or Y(CH2)pCH(CH2)qY p+q=0 to 27 a=1 to 30 b=1 to 30 c+d=2 to 30 Y=CH3, COOH, CH2OH, CH2(—CH2CH2O)a, CH2(—CH(CH3)CH2O)b, CH2(—CH2CH2O)c(—CH2(CH3)CH2O)d, aromatic, or substituted aromatic.

Abstract: An oil recovery method employing amphoteric surfactants with the steps of: a) Injecting into one or more injection wells an aqueous solution containing a mixture of amphoteric surfactants containing mixture of amphoteric surfactants having a hydrocarbyl chain length between 8 and 26 and certain degree of unsaturation, and b) recovering the oil from one or more producing wells. The aqueous injection fluid may also contain one or more of the following: a thickening agent, an alkali, a co-solvent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids by reacting arylalkyl sulfonic acids with olefins. The polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids may be further neutralized with alkalis or amines to form the corresponding sulfonated salts. The present invention also makes possible manufacture of polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids as first intent products using an inexpensive and simple reaction. The structure of the polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids produced using the process described in the present invention is shown below: Where R1, R2 and R3 are each separately and independently H, alkyl (branched or linear C1 to C30), (—CH2CH2O)a, (—CH(CH3)CH2O)b, or (—CH2CH2O)c(—CH2(CH3)CH2O)d, m+n=8 to 28 R4=CH2CH3, CH2CH3Y or Y(CH2)pCH(CH2)qY p+q=0 to 27 a=1 to 30 b=1 to 30 c+d=2 to 30 Y=CH3, COOH, CH2OH, CH2(—CH2CH2O)a, CH2(—CH(CH3)CH2O)b, CH2(—CH2CH2O)c(—CH2(CH3)CH2O)d, aromatic, or substituted aromatic.

Abstract: Compositions and process for recovering of oil from subterranean oil-bearing reservoirs consisting of green non-toxic biodegradable strong alkali metal salt of polymerized weak acids, one or more surfactants, an aqueous fluid, a optionally one or more mobility control agents and optionally one or more co-solvents are disclosed. Such compositions are injected into the reservoir through one or more injection wells and assist in recovering trapped oil through one or more producing wells. A preferred green non-toxic biodegradable strong alkali metal salt of polymerized weak acids is the sodium salt of polyaspartic acid shown below where n is 10 to 50. The compositions and the process of the present invention offer the advantage of improved compatibility with unsoftened waters, surfactants, and various mobility control agents. The green non-toxic, biodegradable properties of the alkali makes it particularly suitable for environmentally sensitive applications such as offshore and inland lakes.

Abstract: A process for recovering heavy oil with the steps of: a) injecting into one or more injection wells an aqueous injection fluid containing one or more surfactants designed to form a pseudo-emulsion between the injection fluid and the heavy oil, and, b) recovering the oil from one or more producing wells. The process does not require the addition of outside mechanical or thermal energy or solvents to recover the heavy oil and does not form emulsions between the injection fluid and the heavy oil that may be difficult to break when brought to the surface or may cause increased viscosity and injectivity problems within the reservoir.

Abstract: Novel compositions of matter and the process of preparing these surfactants having the structure: R1[—(O—(R2O)m—(R3O)n—(R4)]y where: R1=alkyl, alkenyl, amine, alkylamine, dialkylamine, trialkylamine, aromatic, polyaromatic, cycloalkane, cycloalkene, R2=C2H4 or C3H6 or C4H8, R3=C2H4 or C3H6 or C4H8, R4=linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X when y=1, R4=linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X or H when y>1 but at least one R4 must be linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X, m?1, n?0, n+m=1 to 30+, y?1, X=alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or ammonium or amine. These novel ether sulfonate surfactants have excellent surfactant properties making them suitable for a variety of applications as surfactants including agriculture, adhesives, coatings, deinking, detergents, emulsion polymerization, laundry, lubricants, metal working, mining, oilfield, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and soil remediation.

Abstract: A method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon containing formation which comprises (a) injecting into said formation an aqueous solution containing an effective amount alkali metal, alkaline-earth or ammonium salts of alcohol ether sulfonates derived from unsaturated alcohol ethers, and (b) displacing said solution into one or more injection wells and recovering the oil from one or more production wells. The unsaturated alkoxylated alcohol contain various amounts of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxides elected to optimize their interfacial properties with different types of crude oil with different brines.

Abstract: Novel compositions of matter and the process of preparing these surfactants having the structure: R1[—(O—(R2O)m—(R3O)n—(R4)]y where: R1=alkyl, alkenyl, amine, alkylamine, dialkylamine, trialkylamine, aromatic, polyaromatic, cycloalkane, cycloalkene, R2=C2H4 or C3H6 or C4H8, R3=C2H4 or C3H6 or C4H8, R4=linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X when y=1, R4=linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X or H when y>1 but at least one R4 must be linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X, m?1, n?0, n+m=1 to 30+, y?1, X=alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or ammonium or amine. These novel ether sulfonate surfactants have excellent surfactant properties making them suitable for a variety of applications as surfactants including agriculture, adhesives, coatings, deinking, detergents, emulsion polymerization, laundry, lubricants, metal working, mining, oilfield, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and soil remediation.

Abstract: A process for recovering oil by injecting into a subterranean oil-bearing reservoir through one or more injection wells, an aqueous solution containing one or more amphoteric alkyl amido betaine surfactants that form a viscoelastic gel reducing interfacial tension and increasing the viscosity of the injection fluid simultaneously, displacing the solution into the reservoir, and recovering the oil from one or more production wells. These viscoelastic gels are tolerant to electrolytes and multivalent cations. They are shear reversible and adsorbed little onto the reservoir. Their viscosity is reduced when contacting certain hydrocarbons but remains high when contacting water or brine. This allows the fluid to preferentially penetrate the oil-bearing portions of the formation and resulting additional oil recovery.

Abstract: An oil recovery method employing amphoteric surfactants with the steps of: a) Injecting into one or more injection wells an aqueous solution containing a mixture of amphoteric surfactants containing mixture of amphoteric surfactants having a hydrocarbyl chain length between 8 and 26 and certain degree of unsaturation, and b) recovering the oil from one or more producing wells. The aqueous injection fluid may also contain one or more of the following: a thickening agent, an alkali, a co-solvent.